By Douglas Mojaye
A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has endorsed Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, former minister of State for Education, as the best governorship aspirant to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023.
Orubebe, also reiterated that it was the turn of Delta central to produce Governor Okowa’s successor in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The former minister spoke on Sunday at his Ogbobagbene country-home in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.
He said he has cross-examined all the governorship aspirants jostling for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that Gbagi stands out as the most qualified person to be Delta governor.
He stated that Gbagi has the capacity to industrialise and bring even development to the State.
Recalling their days as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Orubebe said the ingenuity of Gbagi brought about the establishment of seven universities and twelve polytechnics including the Federal University of Pertroluem Resources Effurun (FUPRE).
He added that Gbagi as a successful businessman will bring his worth of experience to bare as governor.
Orubebe, a former PDP governorship aspirant in 2014, pleaded with delegates of the party to vote for Olorogun Gbagi during the forthcoming party’s governorship primaries.
While endorsing Gbagi’s governorship ambition, he pledged to work for his victory.
“I have seen most of the aspirants, the only person that has been in executive position and has performed is Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. All the rest, they are either working for somebody, learning from somebody or errand people to somebody. It’s only Kenneth Gbagi that has succeeded as a private individual and did very well as a businessman.
“My dear friend, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, you are most qualified. You have the character, the capacity and passion to move the state forward. I hope the Governor and Deltans will see what I am also seeing…sometimes, I wondered why good people are not allowed to govern the state. Gbagi is a good man.
Earlier in his remark, Olorogun Gbagi said he is in governorship race with a passion to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Okowa, whom, he described, has laid the foundation for development.
Gbagi warned that Delta must not be handed over to people who have no business being in government order than to steal and further cause more pains to Deltans.
Speaking further, the PDP frontline governorship aspirant, while commending Orubebe as elder statesman and a patriot, called on Ijaw Nation to support his quest to be governor.
Gbagi promised to establish industries in the 25 council areas of the state as governor and create job opportunities for unemployed youths in the state.
